Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
My truck has been sitting. Opinions #2322908
06/18/17 05:47 AM
06/18/17 05:47 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,592
None
71rm23 Offline OP
master
71rm23  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,592
None
My '99 Ram has been sitting for a while while I'm out of the country. Need to get it running and need suggestions/opinions.

1. Battery is dead so I know I need a new one.

2. I put some Stabil and octane booster in the tank but should I:

A. Drain tank prior to firing it up and put fresh gas in it? Siphon it out or drop tank? If I drop tank, has anyone done that? shruggy

Thoughts?

Thanks cool

Last edited by 71rm23; 06/18/17 05:47 AM.
Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: 71rm23] #2322912
06/18/17 06:32 AM
06/18/17 06:32 AM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 139
Pennsylvania
P
polaris400cc Offline
member
polaris400cc  Offline
member
P

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 139
Pennsylvania
How long has it been sitting? Less than a year.. new battery check fluids and fire it up. top the tank off with fresh gas at the nearest station and enjoy the ride.

Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: 71rm23] #2322927
06/18/17 09:07 AM
06/18/17 09:07 AM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,274
s.w.fl
B
bonefish Offline
master
bonefish  Offline
master
B

Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,274
s.w.fl
Did you run it w/the stable in the tank?if not i would pull the carb and give it a freshen up.

Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: bonefish] #2322993
06/18/17 11:57 AM
06/18/17 11:57 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
IN
A
ahy Offline
master
ahy  Offline
master
A

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
IN
Agree it depends on how long and also storage conditions.

If less than a year and reasonably dry storage suggest you change the battery, check fluid levels and fire it up.

Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: 71rm23] #2323076
06/18/17 02:34 PM
06/18/17 02:34 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,592
None
71rm23 Offline OP
master
71rm23  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,592
None
It has been less than a year. I fired it up on my last time home from deployment. Going home soon and needed to fire it up to haul junk. Wanted to run it by people before it cost me more $$ in the long run. I put Stabil and a good octane booster in it when I'm gone. Truck is old, but low miles on it

Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: bonefish] #2323106
06/18/17 03:18 PM
06/18/17 03:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066
Eugene, Oregon
M
minivan Offline
master
minivan  Offline
master
M

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066
Eugene, Oregon
Originally Posted By bonefish
Did you run it w/the stable in the tank?if not i would pull the carb and give it a freshen up.


ONLY if the truck will not start or run well..

WAY TOO MUCH overkill on posts like this....

Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: 71rm23] #2323120
06/18/17 03:35 PM
06/18/17 03:35 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,592
None
71rm23 Offline OP
master
71rm23  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,592
None
I will put a new battery in her and go from there

Last edited by 71rm23; 06/18/17 03:35 PM.
Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: minivan] #2323121
06/18/17 03:36 PM
06/18/17 03:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976
Chilliwack B.C. Canada
R
RUNCHARGER Offline
I Live Here
RUNCHARGER  Offline
I Live Here
R

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976
Chilliwack B.C. Canada
I think I'd add a battery and hit it. Pulling the carb could take some time on a 99, I think he missed the year.


Sheldon
Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: 71rm23] #2323145
06/18/17 04:51 PM
06/18/17 04:51 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066
Eugene, Oregon
M
minivan Offline
master
minivan  Offline
master
M

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066
Eugene, Oregon
Originally Posted By 71rm23
I will put a new battery in her and go from there


I would check all fluids and look things over first... After a drive and a good warm up, would change oil and filter...

Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: minivan] #2323193
06/18/17 06:23 PM
06/18/17 06:23 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,274
s.w.fl
B
bonefish Offline
master
bonefish  Offline
master
B

Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,274
s.w.fl
Originally Posted By minivan
Originally Posted By bonefish
Did you run it w/the stable in the tank?if not i would pull the carb and give it a freshen up.


ONLY if the truck will not start or run well..

WAY TOO MUCH overkill on posts like this....
if you follow this advice at least have a big towl and a fire ex. handy incase your floats are stuck.

Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: bonefish] #2323200
06/18/17 06:34 PM
06/18/17 06:34 PM
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 184
Memphis,TN
J
J. Hammer Offline
member
J. Hammer  Offline
member
J

Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 184
Memphis,TN
Originally Posted By bonefish
Originally Posted By minivan
Originally Posted By bonefish
Did you run it w/the stable in the tank?if not i would pull the carb and give it a freshen up.


ONLY if the truck will not start or run well..

WAY TOO MUCH overkill on posts like this....
if you follow this advice at least have a big towl and a fire ex. handy incase your floats are stuck.
Those stuck EFI floats are a pain. punkrocka

Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: minivan] #2323237
06/18/17 07:58 PM
06/18/17 07:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,666
Buford, GA
I_bleed_MOPAR Offline
master
I_bleed_MOPAR  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,666
Buford, GA
Originally Posted By minivan
Originally Posted By 71rm23
I will put a new battery in her and go from there


I would check all fluids and look things over first... After a drive and a good warm up, would change oil and filter...



iagree

I bought an '84 /6, 4 spd. that had been sitting for nearly 3 years. Checked the fluids, put a good battery in it and a splash of gas in the carb, and it fired up like it had been started yesterday. up


Tim


'71 Charger 383/727
'17 Challenger SXT (Wifeys car wink )
Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: 71rm23] #2323242
06/18/17 08:06 PM
06/18/17 08:06 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,183
P
Porter67 Offline
master
Porter67  Offline
master
P

Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,183
Yep, just run it, some of my junk goes a year and still cranks with napa gold batts.

I never us stable, never change plugs. Even my generator Ive not changed the plugs in 9 years, rotate gas one time a year, starts in less the 5 pulls.

My lil dodge parts runner has 127k on org plugs and still gets as delivered mpg.

Ive never understood peoples storage and the way they maintain things, but I do live in a dry dry low humidity area.

Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: bonefish] #2323470
06/19/17 08:30 AM
06/19/17 08:30 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,696
jersey
S
Spaceman Spiff Offline
master
Spaceman Spiff  Offline
master
S

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,696
jersey
Originally Posted By bonefish
Originally Posted By minivan
Originally Posted By bonefish
Did you run it w/the stable in the tank?if not i would pull the carb and give it a freshen up.


ONLY if the truck will not start or run well..

WAY TOO MUCH overkill on posts like this....
if you follow this advice at least have a big towl and a fire ex. handy incase your floats are stuck.


I didn't know '99 rams came with carburators.
Was that a option....


526 cubes of angry wedge, pushbutton shifted, 9 passenger killer!
Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: 71rm23] #2323475
06/19/17 08:55 AM
06/19/17 08:55 AM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162
USA
3
360view Offline
Moparts resident spammer
360view  Offline
Moparts resident spammer
3

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162
USA
Check the gasket of the top rear third brake light housing. Oddly this lets water accumulate below the passenger side carpet.

Check the brake lines, especially where they are hidden by the plastic fuel tank.

Check the fuel line from tank to EFI rail.

Do not be surprised if cracks in the brass arms of the OEM thermostat have cracked and allowed it to cock sideways and jam partially open.

If the antifreeze it not up to spec the stamped steel impellor of the coolant pump eats away.

If the top of the dash has been exposed to the sun for years it will crack quickly with new vibration.

Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: 71rm23] #2323504
06/19/17 10:44 AM
06/19/17 10:44 AM
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 259
n.c.
G
geo. Offline
enthusiast
geo.  Offline
enthusiast
G

Joined: May 2015
Posts: 259
n.c.
Originally Posted By 71rm23
It has been less than a year. I fired it up on my last time home from deployment. Going home soon and needed to fire it up to haul junk. Wanted to run it by people before it cost me more $$ in the long run. I put Stabil and a good octane booster in it when I'm gone. Truck is old, but low miles on it


Yeah, don't worry about the the gas, I pumped 30 gallons out of a boat fuel tank that was 2 seasons old. it looked and smelled normal, so I kept it and used it. if yours is less than a year, it won't be a problem for you.

Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: 71rm23] #2323588
06/19/17 01:33 PM
06/19/17 01:33 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,545
Downtown Roebuck Ont
Twostick Online content
Still wishing...
Twostick  Online Content
Still wishing...

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,545
Downtown Roebuck Ont
Check the fluid levels and boost it. If the battery won't take/hold a charge, replace it then not before.

Just because it's dead doesn't mean it's defective.

Kevin

Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: Twostick] #2323630
06/19/17 03:02 PM
06/19/17 03:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
D
dogdays Offline
I Live Here
dogdays  Offline
I Live Here
D

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
Amen! The battery may or may not be good. Put it on a charger and let it sit for a few hours. Check voltage with charger on. Should be around 14 VDC.
Then remove a charger lead and check voltage. Should be around 12.6 VDC. Then let it sit for four or more hours. Check voltage again. If it is still around 12.6 you're good to go. If it has dropped below 12.2 you probably need a new battery. As they cost $100 or more now, it is worth it to me to try to keep an old one rather than just buy new. Also, many parts stores will test your battery for free.

As for the rest of the vehicle, check fluid levels, throw some new gas in the tank along with whatever is in there now and drive the truck!

Sitting for a year is nothing. Try sitting for 15 years. I've done that more than once.

R.

Last edited by dogdays; 06/19/17 03:03 PM.
Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: 71rm23] #2323655
06/19/17 03:46 PM
06/19/17 03:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,592
None
71rm23 Offline OP
master
71rm23  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,592
None
That is my plan of attack. I'll take it out and take it to the parts store to have it checked, then go from there. Yes, I'll check all of the fluids, have oil changed, etc.

Re: My truck has been sitting. Opinions [Re: 71rm23] #2323903
06/19/17 11:29 PM
06/19/17 11:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 45
Illinois
S
SIX225 Offline
member
SIX225  Offline
member
S

Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 45
Illinois
Just went through this with my father's 2000 Caravan. Parked with a leaking front seal two or three years ago. Thought I'd drain the gas out. Put a hot battery in it and pulled the relay and found it had a full tank of gas. Didn't know what I'd do with that much gas, so I just started it. Couldn't believe how well it started and idled.

Page 1 of 2 1 2






Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1